This post is split into two parts: General quotes and my take on instructional coaching

Instructional coaching quotes

Being an instructional coach can be a rewarding and challenging job. You have the opportunity to help teachers improve their skills and become more effective in the classroom, but it is never easy. That’s why it is important to stay motivated and inspired throughout your coaching journey. Here are some inspirational quotes for instructional coaches that will motivate you to keep going.  

“The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate ‘apparently ordinary’ people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people.”

K. Patricia Cross 

This quote reminds us that all students can succeed if they are given the right tools and support from their teachers and coaches. With the proper guidance, even average students can become extraordinary learners. 

“Tell me and I forget, teach me an I remember, involve me and I learn.”  

Benjamin Franklin

This quote speaks to the importance of active engagement in learning; rather than simply telling students what they should know, effective instruction involves getting them involved in the learning process by having them ask questions and apply what they have learned . As coaches, we need to help teachers find ways to actively engage their students so that they will be more likely to remember what they learn in class. 

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”  

Albert Einstein

This quote highlights how important it is for instructors to foster creativity and curiosity among their students. Encouraging creativity allows students explore new ideas and look at things from different perspectives—skills that will serve them well both inside and outside of the classroom. As instructional coaches, we should strive to help teachers create classrooms where creativity can thrive! 

“The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you on to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth.”  

Dan Rather

This quote emphasizes how powerful an impact a great teacher can have on a student’s life—and your job as an instructional coach is key to helping teachers reach their potential as educators! By providing support, guidance, resources, and encouragement for teachers, you are helping make sure that every student has access to an excellent education.  

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

John Dewey

  Ultimately, our goal as instructional coaches should be centered around helping each student reach his or her fullest potential–not just academically but also personally. We must strive every day towards creating meaningful learning experiences where each student feels valued, respected, inspired, encouraged, supported, challenged, empowered, and accepted –all important in students’ overall development.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

E.E Cummings 

This quote is a reminder that even though it can be difficult to make changes, it is worth it in the end when you become who you were meant to be. As an instructional coach, this means taking risks and encouraging others to take risks in order to achieve excellence. 

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, but what you do consistently.”

Marie Forleo 

This quote speaks volumes about the importance of consistency as an instructional coach. It takes dedication and commitment to help teachers grow as professionals and reach their potential as educators. This quote serves as a reminder that success comes from consistent effort over time, not just one-time actions or quick fixes. 

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Peter Drucker 

This quote emphasizes the importance of being proactive instead of reactive as an instructional coach. It encourages us to look ahead and plan for the future instead of waiting for things to happen on their own. As an instructional coach, this means helping teachers set goals and develop strategies for achieving those goals before problems arise. 

Inspirational quotes can serve as powerful reminders of our mission as instructional coaches – helping teachers grow professionally so they can provide students with quality education experiences every day. The quotes above should serve as inspiration for all those striving towards excellence in teaching, learning, and instruction coaching! While there will always be challenges along the way, these motivational quotes remind us that success comes from hard work and dedication over time – something we should all strive towards!

 When teaching gets hard (and it often does!), coming back to these quotes can give us hope by reminding us why our work matters so much—and why we do it in the first place! As instructional coaches, we have a unique opportunity each day make a real difference in our classrooms—so let’s go out there today knowing that we have what it takes! Happy coaching!

Part 2 – My take on instructional coaching

I have had good and bad instructional coaches. The best would hear both my goals and my struggles, listening and asking great questions. Then we developed action plans together.

When I became a certified instructional coach, I was told this was a bad idea. “It must be student-centered!” and focus on assessment data. Well, this is what the least effective coaches in my past have done. For me to become the best teacher I can be, some of the focus needs to be on me. Assessment and directly measuring student learning are one part of what I do as a teacher. Let’s not forget the bigger picture here.

Success for an instructional coach

A positive relationship between a coach and teachers would be the first step in making a positive, lasting impact on that classroom. Without that relationship, a coach runs the risk of having teachers ‘perform’ for them – jumping through the hoops of a cycle without even intending to improve their practice. It sounds unprofessional, but I’ve been in that position and didn’t feel like I had any choice. When a teacher is close to burnout, blasting into their classroom without empathy and adding more to their plate is a bad plan. 

I would define success as an instructional coach when the students are getting a better experience in the classroom. This cannot just mean the results of test scores. Kids might learn some material well enough to pass an assessment but if they do not really enjoy or engage with the material, the learning will not stay for long.

It isn’t just about test/quiz/assessment scores. If the students are cursing the content under their breath and/or they are not going to retain that information, our success is hollow, even if the numbers look great.

A big aspect of my coaching includes helping teachers communicate what they love about their subject, why it is a cool subject, why they want to teach it, and how to find joy in the content. This needs to be an intentional part of our instructional coaching mindset now that standards and testing have displaced so much joy from the classroom.

Be sure to check out my absolutely favorite instructional coaching quote at the bottom!

My favorite Instructional Coaching Quotes

My final instructional coaching quote:

When teachers stop learning, so do students.

Jim Knight

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